2008-11-30 Bulletin

We are God's Children - gathered by Him in love - to bring glory to the Triune God, to pray, to seek the lost, to nurture the young in the Lord, to care for the hurting, and to encourage one another. We do this in obedience to His Word.

Next Sunday, December 7

We have the privilege of witnessing the baptism of Jackson Wildeboer, infant son of Donald and Amaris. Our Christmas reading is from Mark 13:1-8 and the warning “Do Not Be Deceived” as we reflect on Jesus who was born as a baby. In the evening we turn to 1 Samuel and the question “Who is King of Your Life.” Pastor Mike will lead our services.

Our Church Family

This week the flowers will be delivered to Cindy Prins, we pray that all things are well as you take the time to recover from the surgery.

Harriet Luymes’ mother is not doing well. She is in hospital and the family stays close by. May God grant the strength of our faith to the family.

Els Ebens fell last week while walking outside in the evening. We are thankful she did not break any bones, but she is quite sore. She remains strong in the Lord and appreciates the concern of congregation members.

It is thought that Ann Swier had a mild heart attack earlier this week. She is quite weak and confused at times. We entrust her and Simon to God’s gracious care.

The second annual Council Christmas social is planned for Wednesday Dec 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the church. Council members and their wives are invited out for an evening of fun and relaxation with good food and traditional games.

Christmas Newsletter:

Time to start getting your contributions for the December Newsletter together. The months move by quickly and it is already time to start planning our next edition. We will be focusing on the wonderful gift of our Savior and all contributions whether art, or poetry or stories or fun pages for young and old are greatly appreciated. If you had planned to get a report about your group or ministry in for the November edition but didn't quite get to it, we would still love to have your report. Our aim is always to keep the congregation informed and up to date on the happenings in our church so we can pray for and encourage one another in meaningful ways. We would like to encourage the congregation to plan ahead so your contributions are ready for the team by Today, November the 30th. We need some time to put all things together in an organized fashion so the Newsletter is easy to read. We are also hoping to help the secretaries keep the bulletin down to a reasonable size so pass your announcements along ahead of time and we can have a page or two of announcements for your information in the newsletter. These would include announcements that would normally run for a few weeks in the bulletin and that pertain to our community at large - both in the church and in the town of Lacombe. We look forward to what God has in store for all of us in this Christmas edition of the Bethel Newsletter.

CUBA REQUEST:

We have booked a trip to visit our brothers and sisters in Christ in Cuba for December 8-15, 2008.The need in Cuba is again greater as last year: the hurricanes have destroyed much of this year’s crops.Food is scarce and items we take for granted (soap, razors, matches etc.) are hardly available.It is advised not to take food along in the suitcases, however we hope to be able to go to stores and help them with buying extra portions. All the money available in Cuban families is spent on food rations, but the need for other basics is also urgent. Unfortunately we can only help a couple families; we know: they are good in sharing what they receive.Last year Bethel reacted generously when we made known the needs in Southern Cuba. That’s why we feel free to give an opportunity again to send small gifts along. The same items as last year are needed: underwear – all sizes; vitamins; Tylenol\ or Advil; toothbrushes and paste; soap; pens etc. There are requests for some more expensive items, which we are not able to buy, but you might have some used ones to donate: a laptop; a digital camera; Christian DVD movies (Spanish). Until November 30th, there will be a suitcase in the main foyer of church where you can drop off your gifts.In name of Cuban Christians: Thank you so much in advance for your generosity. The closing sentence of their latest e-mail was:Well, dear friends, it is all now, please give our greetings to family and members of the Church, please ask them too, pray for our situation.

REMEMBER:

Poinsettia and Cyclamen orders are due by November 30, 2008. Please place your orders in Gerry Prins’ mailbox. Thank you.

Mission Trips:

This year Bethel will not be sending a youth mission team to Mexico to build a house. We were not able to put together a team, but with God’s help we will try again next year. Not enough interest was shown to form an adult team.

All Senior Ladies

are invited for a "Craft Day" at the home of Ann Wildeboer to make some ornaments for our Christmas tree in church, enjoy refreshments and fellowship.Thursday, December 4, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Please RSVP by Monday, December 1st by calling Ann at 403-782-2061

Bethel Youth News

Tuesday Night Youth WILL meet this coming Tuesday, December 3rd. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Announcements

SINTERKLAAS BAZAAR-DUTCH LUCHEON:

You are all invited!! Please mark your calendars for another Sinterklaas Bazaar to be held on December 6th. Our fun filled day will start at 10 a.m. with coffee, games and contests for young & old. We have lots of games and prizes for families with young children. There will be a table with baked goodies, so you can stock up on your Christmas needs. Lunch will consist of Dutch items such as pea soup, Dutch meatball soup, croquettes, roggebrood, krentje brei, etc. All funds raised will be used for the Young Peoples mission trip to Mexico. Come for a day of fun and fellowship!!

NEEDED:

We are looking for donations of new or slightly used small items, toys or gifts to use as prizes for the games at the Sinterklaas Bazaar. If you have any items to donate, please contact Gerry at 782-4170 or Trudy at 782-7378.

BAKING NEEDED:

Are you interested in doing a little baking to help us out with the bake sale at the Sinterklaas Bazaar? We would sure appreciate it! Please call Gerry or Trudy, so we know what we can count on. Thanks!

Thank youfor your participation in the Christmas at Sea gift project.

Our seafarers will be encouraged by your generosity and we pray, will be pointed to the true gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ. If you still would like to give a shoebox please bring them to the back of the church no later than December 7th. Or you may mail a money donation to Christmas a Sea, Ministry to Seafarers, 401 East Waterfront Road, Vancouver, BC, V6A 4G9. On the memo line of the cheque please write Christmas at Sea. Both the Ministry to Seafarers and the men and women who will be the recipients of these gifts say Thank You! and wish you a blessed Christmas.

Ordination Service of Karen Norris:

West End Christian Reformed Church invites you to celebrate with us as we ordain our Pastor of Congregational Life and Outreach, Karen Norris, to the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the Christian Reformed Church. The service will take place on Friday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. at West End Christian Reformed Church, 10015 - 149 St., Edmonton, AB. We'd love to have you share this joyous occasion with us.

Christian Women’s Club

of Lacombe invites all ladies to come out and have a fun evening at the Kozy Korner on Tuesday, December 9th, 7 til 8:30 p.m. Christmas Festivities is the title for the evening with guest speaker Flora Ducharme from Lethbridge, AB. and special music from Laura Siebenga. Tickets for this event will cost $8 and will need to be purchased ahead of time. For reservations call Connie at 885-4653 or Joyce at 843-0025 by Friday 5th.

The Central Alberta Christian High School fall drive

is now underway until December 15th. This year’s goal is $140,000.00. If you have not received a donation form or you have lost your donation form, you may contact Ann Oudman, our school secretary, and request that she mail, fax or email you a copy of the form. During the evenings, you may also contact Jaap Domincus (783-6848) or Wendy Barnes (885-5187) and they will ensure that you receive a new form. Your donations may be mailed C.A.C.H.S, 22 Eagle Road, Lacombe, AB T4L 1G7: Attention Wendy Barnes, or they may be handed in to any of the area representatives in a sealed envelope. Thank you!

The Red Deer Bibles for Missions Thrift Store,

a Christian interdenominational not for profit organization is seeking a 30 hour per week store manager. Training will be provided. A heart for Christian ministry is required. Contact Wilma at 403-340-2522 or see church bulletin board fro more information.

Dordt College has the gift of a lifetime for your parents or spouse:

a tour of the Netherlands May 11-20. Make memories at medieval castles, the homes of Anne Frank and Corrie Ten Boom, the Rijksmuseum, and at a Dordt Concert Choir performance in Dordrecht. Dordt professors Leendert van Beek and Hubert Krygsman will be your tour and devotional guides on this 10 day motor coach tour. For more information, contact Dianne De Wit at ddewit@dordt.edu or 712-722-6029 or see full details at www.dordt.edu/events/netherlands/

Denominational News

CRWRC:

Let your light shine—Mark the 20th anniversary of WORLD AIDS DAY, by joining other young people at CRWRC's new website, iEmbraceAIDS.com. AIDS is devastating communities around the world and you can do something about it. Visit iEmbraceAIDS.com and do your part to bring AIDS out of the darkness.

WORLD MISSIONS:

New volunteer opportunities with CRWM in East Africa! Christian Reformed World Missions has openings for three short-term volunteers to teach at seminaries in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. Visit www.crwm.org to learn more.

GOD COMES AND HE SPEAKS:

How do you see God? Is he present in our world and involved in the events of your life? Or do you think he’s far away…maybe watching the events of our world like a movie, but certainly not involved? Does he ever show himself to you or reveal what he’s doing in your life? Find out on the Dec. 7 Back to God Hour. Go to www.BacktoGod.net for local stations and times.

THE KNIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS:

Two mysterious strangers appear in Terrene the week before Christmas. Should they receive help or not? Check it out on this week’s Kids Corner. Kids Corner is a member of the HisKids.net alliance--working together to provide quality entertainment for kids that is Christ-centered and Bible-based. Visit HisKids.net to find great Christian programs and music for kids.

Persecuted Church

Colombia

In the past 4 years, 132 churches (excluding house churches) have been forcibly closed by guerrillas and paramilitaries. If pastors disobey orders to close their churches and stop holding evangelical meetings, death warrants are issued against them. Pastors have been killed; others have gone in hiding; their families are forced to relocate. Pastor Wilmer Ribon's family now lives in a cold windowless, half-finished warehouse in Bogota, which is shared with another family. Pray for these bold pastors and their families and congregations. Pray for safety and provision and encouragement. Pray for the young people who are recruited by armed groups - that they will be delivered from a life of violence and that they may be restored to their families. Pray for Christians in Colombia, who choose to follow the Lord in these hard circumstances.